Bayonet in CS 2: best knife skins and technical characteristics

“Relatively unchanged in its design since World War II, the bayonet still retains a place in modern military strategy. Bayonet charges have continued to be effective as recently as the second Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan.“
Official description

First introduced as one of the five original cosmetic knives in the 2013 Arms Deal update, the Bayonet migrated to Counter-Strike 2 with the rest of the CS:GO economy. It cannot be purchased in-game; instead, it drops as an ★ “Rare Special” item from select weapon cases. The model is patterned after the Buck M9 Bayonet, retaining its classic, spear-point blade and ribbed handle. In early CS:GO beta builds it even served as the default Counter-Terrorist knife, and its now-iconic “roll-off-the-hand” draw animation remains unique among CS2 blades.

In Counter-Strike 2 the Bayonet behaves exactly like the stock knife. A quick slash from the front inflicts 40 damage (about 34 through Kevlar) on the opening swing, while repeat swings fall to roughly 25 damage (21 vs armour). The slower secondary attack is a thrust that lands 65 damage (55 armoured), but if you connect that thrust within the ~61-degree “back-stab cone” behind an opponent it explodes to 180 damage (153 with armour)—an instant kill in every realistic scenario. You move at the game-maximum 250 units per second while it’s out, and a successful knife frag awards a hefty $1 500 cash bonus (halved in Casual). Because every premium knife shares these stats, the Bayonet’s advantage is cosmetic flair; your lethality still depends on timing, flanking routes, and the confidence to get close enough to swing.

• Silent eliminations: Knife swings generate minimal sound, letting you pick off lone anchors or lurkers without broadcasting your position.
• Economy plays: Two slashes plus a stab (or a clean back-stab) drop an opponent faster than two stabs alone, maximising both kill speed and the cash bonus.
• Desynchronised peeks: CS2’s sub-tick net-code records the exact moment you swing, so wide-swings around corners can register a slash before opponents see it, provided you stay within ~61° of their rear arc for an instant kill.
• Draw animation mind-game: The flashy hand-roll takes longer than most knives to equip; initiate the switch while still covered or on a ladder to avoid being caught mid-animation.

Since the Bayonet’s debut, Valve has never altered its damage, range, or movement values—balance is handled globally for all knife classes. CS2’s Source 2 port simply upgraded materials to physically based rendering, improving metal reflections without touching gameplay. Occasional case-rotation patches affect its market supply, but no live-service patch has buffed or nerfed the Bayonet specifically.

DETAIL	VALUE
Attack Types	Primary (Slash), Secondary (Stab)
Backstab	Instant kill from behind (secondary attack)
Armor Penetration	~85%
Kill Reward	Competitive: $1500 Casual: $750
Attack Delay	Primary: ~0.4s between slashes Secondary: ~1.0s between stabs
Movement Speed	250 units per second (maximum in-game)
Slot	Melee weapon (always available)
Drop Behavior	Not droppable in standard modes

The Bayonet is a timeless, mid-price knife that blends classic military aesthetics with just enough flair to feel special in-game. Its spear-point blade, long visual reach and trademark hand-roll draw animation give many players extra confidence to attempt flanks, and one $1 500 knife frag can single-handedly swing an eco round. Because it shares stats with every other blade, you’re really paying for style and psychology—yet the Bayonet’s huge paint library (from budget Rust Coat to sapphire-blue gems) and deep market liquidity mean you can always resell or trade up without headache.

If you want an all-purpose skin that looks good with any glove/agent combo, holds value better than newer niche knives, and doesn’t scream “show-off” like a Butterfly or Karambit, the Bayonet is a rock-solid choice. Opt out only if you’re chasing the absolute cheapest melee option, crave ultra-flashy flip animations, or collect knives specifically for rarity rather than day-to-day use.

If you value classic military aesthetics, a distinctive draw animation, and a skin pool that ranges from low-budget Rust Coat to collector-grade Sapphire, the Bayonet remains a timeless pick. Just remember: in Counter-Strike 2 a knife is only as lethal as the player’s positioning — style points and $1500 bonuses are yours to earn.